IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Programs
At this point you should have determined which veterinary credential that you want to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Pueblo CO area and across the Country, you need to ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's important that you make sure that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding screening process that verifies you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Pueblo CO area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on internet school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Colorado school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final recommendation, call some Pueblo CO veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend some programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Pueblo CO veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate might mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the school has an excellent reputation within the Pueblo CO veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Pueblo CO programs you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we already covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Pueblo CO home, you need to confirm that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's essential that you determine if the veterinary schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Pueblo CO. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family issues. You may find that an online school is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.